Gateway to the Rim of the World and the San Bernardino National Forest
Tucked into the San Bernardino National Forest, Running Springs is a resort town with a residential heart. It’s known as the gateway to the sprawling Rim of the World community. Locally called ‘The Rim’, the area stretches 30 miles from Crestline to Big Bear and incorporates several small towns, like Running Springs. Once a logging site that provided lumber for citrus crates, the town offers incredible views from 6,000 feet above sea level. “Running Springs is a quiet, tranquil community with easy access to everything the San Bernardino mountains have to offer. There’s less distractions and noise, so it’s great for people looking to get away from the hustle and bustle. Kids play in the woods, and people like to ski. Snow Valley Mountain Resort is also easy to get to,” says Brian L. Cohen, Realtor and Owner of Arrowhead Premier Properties and Arrowhead Property Rental. Seventeen miles from Big Bear Lake or the city of Highland, Running Springs is for those seeking a secluded hideaway in the mountains with outdoor activities and plenty of fresh air.
Numerous outdoor activities no matter the time of year
Firehouse Playground features open space, a playground, picnic areas and basketball courts. The National Children’s Forest covers 3,400 acres and provides tours and educational programs. It’s home to the popular 4.5-mile Exploration Trail, and the Keller Peak fire lookout provides incredible views of several mountain ranges. Arrowbear Lake and its adjacent park are home to water activities, a playground and a baseball field. Running Springs also has Mountain Top Days, an annual event each August with live music, a chili cook-off and a parade. Located among the hiking and biking trails of the San Bernardino National Forest, town residents are also close to snowtubing, snowboarding and equestrian areas. Snow Valley was the first ski resort in the San Bernardino Mountains when it was built in the 1920s, and it’s still operating today. Nearby, Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake offer water activities, like swimming or canoeing.
Cabins and contemporary homes inside the San Bernardino National Forest
Running Springs has a variety of cabins, A-frames, bungalows and contemporary homes. Winding hillside roads lead to houses surrounded by picturesque groves of trees, and many residents walk to the local grocery stores. The area began as a haven from Los Angeles, with vacation homes near lakes and skiing. The community is still considered a resort town and year-round tourist destination where wildlife is spotted daily. “Homebuyers get more bang for their buck here. They can get more house per square foot, and the area has a lower cost of living than nearby cities,” says Faith Mattioli, a Realtor with Keller Williams Lake Arrowhead with almost a decade of experience. “Running Springs is a close-knit community with a lot of events, like clean-up days or an annual Christmas tree lighting. People rely on each other but don’t have to share walls like in a condo.” Houses sell for a median price of $360,000 after 54 days on the market. Cabins, bungalows and investment properties begin around $250,000 and continue to $680,000. More contemporary or custom-built homes range from $750,000 to nearly $2 million.
Local groceries, coffee and eateries
The Running Springs Farmers Market and Artisan Faire runs each year from early April to late November, selling items like organic produce, cage-free eggs and homemade jams. Running Springs Fine Foods is part of the town center on Hilltop Drive. The small grocery sells handmade dips, ice cream by the scoop and all the essentials. Golden Oaks Thrift Store is a short walk up the street and has everything from clothing and accessories to household goods and decorations. LuluBelle’s Coffee House and Bakery specializes in fair-trade coffees, handmade pastries and an organic menu. Neo’s Pizza House provides fresh pizzas for the whole group and an arcade for the kids. Just past Arrowbear Lake, Victoria’s Family Restaurant is known for its expansive menu, which combines Mexican, Italian and American comfort foods.
Career training and nearby colleges
Students attend Niche C-plus-rated Charles Hoffman Elementary, C-rated Mary P. Henck Intermediate and C-plus-rated Rim of the World High. The high school offers career technical education courses recognized throughout the state. The program provides certificates of competency, college and work plans and credits for specific college classes. For higher education options, Running Springs is less than 15 miles from the University of Redlands, California State University-San Bernardino and Loma Linda University.
State highways and bus routes
Running Springs is a car-dependent area near the junction of State Route 18, also called the Rim of the World Parkway, and SR-330. “It’s a great commuter spot because it’s next to two highways. Redlands or Highland is a half-hour away,” says Mattioli. Most commuters have a 38-minute one-way commute time, and around 75% of people drive alone. The No. 4 and 5 bus routes run through the community, taking people to Arrowbear Lake or Lake Arrowhead. People walk or bike down the mountainside roads but must be aware of traffic because there aren’t marked lanes. The community is 10 miles from the Mountains Community Hospital and 48 miles from Ontario International Airport.
Houses of worship
The community has seven Protestant and Catholic churches, like St. Anne in the Mountains Catholic Church, the Psalms Ministry Organization and Calvary Chapel Running Springs.
Environmental factors
The area around Arrowbear Lake has a greater chance of flooding than the rest of the community, although all of Running Springs has a high chance of wildfires. To combat damage to people and property during natural disasters, San Bernardino County encourages residents to have emergency supplies ready while reducing flammable debris in the area and installing seismic detectors at water substations.
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